Sin varying his rotation plan a bit or even taking it even more to the extreme, after giving ownership to footballers such as Paul, who had not played for two months, or Rober, who had not yet participated in the beginning, Manuel Pellegrini managed to settle on Sunday in the visit to the Martinez Valero the series of negative results that his team had accumulated in just one week before the third date FIFA it’s from the season.
In front of Elche, especially in the first 45 minutes, the Betis They were once again the recognizable team from the start of the championship, pressing hard in the opposite field, moving the ball with speed in search of spaces and being lethal in the final meters. A style that, after the first third of the season, allows him to be signing numbers that exceed the most optimistic expectations.
Ferencváros and Levante, Betis’s next rivals
But the calendar does not give a respite and with almost no time to celebrate the victory, there are two other fundamental games for the aspirations of the Verdiblanco team: against Ferencváros, on the penultimate day of the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, and in front of I raised, in the days before a new edition of the Copa del Rey since the Betis visit the Camp Nou to measure the new Barça from Xavi Hernandez.
Two meetings with a lot at stake for those who Pellegrini look for solutions in specific positions. Against the Hungarian team, where victory can qualify the Andalusians for the knockout rounds if the Bayer Leverkusen is imposed on Celtic in the other game of the group, in the middle point, by the sanction of Fekir. And before the granota team, on the right side, where the problems accumulate
Without Fekir on Thursday and without a right back on Sunday
The Frenchman was sanctioned with three matches for his altercation with Demirbay at BayArena almost three weeks ago. The German of Turkish origin, who committed countless faults on Nabil and he provoked him with a ball just before the confrontation, he also lost three suspension games. Although that is no comfort to Pellegrini, who will not be able to count on his most talented footballer this Thursday and will have to make a move.
It will not be easy to replace the world champion, although the Betis he has had more wins than losses in his absences in recent years. But it will be less difficult to find an alternative for the right-hand winger for Sunday’s game. In one of the few positions that are ‘tripled’ in the workforce, problems have been concentrated and Pellegrini you will not be able to count on Bellerín nor with Martin Montoya nor with Sabaly.
Montoya, no known prognosis
The side loaned by the Arsenal will be sanctioned for his expulsion in Elche. The Franco-Senegalese still has a month left to be ready to compete. And as the coach himself revealed on Sunday, Montoya suffers an injury whose details have not transpired. Thus, move to the side to Bartra or Pezzella, delay Ruibal or even choose Tello, who already played in that position on occasion, are presented as some of the possible alternatives for the coaching staff.
Different options than the Engineer he will analyze and rehearse these days without losing focus of Thursday’s game. Because although the Ferencváros arrive at Benito Villamarin already eliminated from the competition and probably reserves players, the money that is at stake for the prizes of the UEFA in every game it is enough motivation for any team. And the Betis knows that he cannot fail … if he does not want to have to risk everything in the Celtic park.
